Thursday, August 16, 2012

Grizzlies Name Former Viper Defenceman Zach Urban Captain:

The Victoria Grizzlies have named former Vernon Vipers defenceman Zach Urban this years captain.  Urban played one game as an "AP" with the Vipers during the 2010-11 season.  Urban played last season with the Penticton Vees before being traded to Victoria on May, 31st in a trade that was finalized from a trade last year between these two clubs.   

Zach Urban's Player Profile:

http://www.bchl.ca/leagues/rosters_profile.cfm?clientID=1413&teamID=305102&leagueID=2393&playerID=721283

This is posted on the Grizzlies website:

VETERAN BCHL AND RBC CHAMPION NAMED CAPTAIN

Photo by Kyle Robinson Photography

July 26, 2012 Victoria Grizzlies -

The Victoria Grizzlies Hockey Club is pleased to announce that veteran BCHL and RBC Champion Zach Urban has been named Team Captain for the 2012 -2013 season.

General Manager and Head Coach Bill Bestwick today introduced Urban to the community and Victoria media at an event at the Grizzlies’ Bear Mountain Arena.

“The appointment of a Captain is one of the most important decisions we will make. Zach is a perfect fit and his experience, winning attitude, work ethic and knowing what it takes to win makes him a natural,” said Bestwick.

Urban is entering his third season of BCHL competition and was a defensive stalwart on the blue line for the BCHL record-setting Penticton Vees. Last season, he played in 58 regular season games and every game of the playoffs, contributing four goals and 18 assists, with 88 penalty minutes.

The 19-year-old Kelowna native measures in at 6’ 3" and 205 lbs, and is described as a 'fearless competitor' with a 'team first' approach to the game. Urban will be heavily counted on for his leadership on and off the ice and looks forward to getting started.

“I am very honoured to be chosen to captain this team and play in a Grizzlies uniform. I am excited for the challenge to lead this hockey club on and off the ice,” said Urban. “Zach is a champion. He is a character player, hard nosed and gritty. I am certain his work ethic and expectations will positively influence his teammates and make him a fan favorite,” added Bestwick.

The Victoria Grizzlies Hockey Club remains extremely active in the off-season under its new ownership group. A number of recent player transactions bring added depth, quality and experience to the line up:

• National champion D.J. Jones joins the Grizzlies from Penticton in a trade that sees Alex Holland head to the Vees. The 20-year-old defenceman joins his former teammate Zach Urban in Victoria to bolster the Grizzlies strength on the blue line.

• Forward Brett Hartskamp has been acquired from the Swan Valley Stampeders Hockey Club of the Manitoba Junior Hockey League. Hartskamp played for Grizzlies Coach Bill Bestwick in Nanaimo before being moved to the MJHL last season. The veteran BCHL forward will add experience to the young Grizzlies offence.

• Turner Lawson comes to Victoria from the Vernon Vipers. Lawson was the future player to be named in the deal that saw former Grizzlies Sean Robertson head to Vernon midseason. The 19-year-old is a versatile forward who is expected to make a strong mark up front this season.

• Goaltender Brady Rouleau and forward Garrett Skrbich join the Grizzlies in a multi-player deal with the Westside Warriors announced earlier in July. Rouleau, 6’1” and 175 lbs., is an impressive starting goaltender who was a standout for the Cowichan Valley Capitals last season. Skrbich enters his second season in the BCHL, with good experience and offensive capacity. Skrbich is already committed to Princeton of the NCAA for 2013 and will be counted on to raise the competition level and depth of the forward position.

Fans will get their first opportunity to see the new Victoria Grizzlies in action when Training Camp gets underway August 20 at Bear Mountain Arena. The Grizzlies first exhibition game is scheduled for August 24 at home against the Cowichan Valley Capitals.

For information on season ticket packages and exhibition game tickets, visit www.victoriagrizzlies.com or call 250-385-1555.

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